| While researchers have focused on the factors contributing to and militating against the decisions to work with older adults from the perspective of health care professional students, little research has been conducted on health care professionals. Given this gap in the literature, my study focused on this research question: What factors contribute to and militate against physical therapists' decisions to work with older adults? To address this question, I conducted focus groups consisting of health care providers, including Physical Therapists (PTs) holding active licenses in the state of Wisconsin. I developed the Appraisal of Aging Factors Instrument (AAFI) from findings identified in the focus groups and literature. The AAFI was piloted with PTs holding active licenses in the state of Wisconsin prior to distribution of the final survey to PTs in Wisconsin. My research was anchored in Super's Life-Span, Life-Space theory (1980) and a positioned subject approach. The findings from my research suggest the following six factors increase the odds of working with older adults: (a) early career PT, (b) enjoyment in working with healthy older adults, (c) added job flexibility, (d) preference for treating acute, improvable musculoskeletal conditions, (e) a preference for controlling and leading patient's care, and (f) a positive relationship with grandparents and other older adults. |
